Power Plants Kill Fish - California
In May 2010, the California’s State Water Resources Control Board adopted a final policy governing the use of coastal and estuarine waters for cooling California’s 19 coastal power plants.
GRACE Communications Foundation
[ Power Plants Kill Fish ]
Many people know that power plants are a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gasses; however, few are aware that many of those same plants kill and injure fish and other aquatic life. Electric power plants - both nuclear and fossil-fueled - with antiquated \\\"once-through\\\" cooling systems withdraw massive amounts of water from rivers, lakes and estuaries to cool the steam used to create electricity. These withdrawals, which add up to about 135 trillion gallons per year nationwide, kill trillions of fish and other aquatic organisms, particularly small, fragile eggs and larvae, altering the aquatic food chain and ecosystems.
An Introduction- Many people know that power plants are a major source of air emissions, but few are aware that many power plants kill and injure fish and other aquatic life.
Animation- Learn how outdated "once-through" cooling systems are killing aquatic life and polluting our water resources in this interactive feature.
Federal Regulation- EPA will release a new cooling water intake rule this summer requiring existing power plants minimize adverse impacts on fish and other aquatic life.
New York- Power plants that draw in cooling water from New York's rivers, lakes and estuaries kill fish, sometimes in enormous numbers.
New York Report- Our report looks at how outdated power plant cooling water systems can destroy 17 billion fish and other aquatic organisms in New York every year.
Blog Series- See our Ecocentric series for more information on the impact of power plants on aquatic life.
Associated Posts
Power Plants Kill Fish - Organizations and Key Reports
Here is a list of organizations that are leading the fight against the needless destruction of fish by the nation’s aging power plants, and several reports key to underst.
10 Things to Know about Power Plant Water Use, 10 Reasons to Care
Here are 10 things to know about power plant water use and 10 reasons to care.
Another Cruel, Cruel Summer for Power Plants
Are fish are shutting down power plants in protest? Or is the record-breaking heat and drought causing some big problems for both this summer?
All Pain, No Gain: New York Power Plants Kill Fish Even When Not in Use
Many New York power plants are withdrawing cooling water - and injuring or killing aquatic life - even when they are not generating any electricity.
Super Advocate vs. Weak EPA on Power Plant Rule
For over a decade, Reed Super, a public interest environmental attorney, has fought hard to protect aquatic ecosystems from outdated power plants.
In Focus
Perspectives on Long Island’s Aging Power Plants
In this slideshow, three residents share what Long Island’s marine waters mean to them and the community they live in, as well as their thoughts on the impact that old power plants have had on the marine environment.
Reeling in New York’s Aging Power Plants
Visit two of Long Island’s aging power plants, find out how they are killing fish and what you can do about it.
